Heritage Havens: A Journey through the Old Havelis of Garli Paragpur, Himachal Pradesh

Nestled amidst the picturesque hills of Himachal Pradesh, the quaint villages of Garli and Paragpur stand as living testaments to the region's rich cultural heritage and architectural splendor. Steeped in history and adorned with magnificent old havelis, these twin villages offer a glimpse into a bygone era, where opulence and grandeur were the hallmarks of everyday life. Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the timeless charm of the old havelis of Garli Paragpur.

Nestled amidst the picturesque hills of Himachal Pradesh, the quaint villages of Garli and Paragpur stand as living testaments to the region's rich cultural heritage and architectural splendor. Steeped in history and adorned with magnificent old havelis, these twin villages offer a glimpse into a bygone era, where opulence and grandeur were the hallmarks of everyday life. Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the timeless charm of the old havelis of Garli Paragpur.

As you meander through the narrow lanes of Garli Paragpur, you are transported back in time to an era of regal magnificence and architectural brilliance. The old havelis, with their intricate carvings, ornate balconies, and majestic facades, bear witness to the opulent lifestyle of the erstwhile merchants and aristocrats who once called this place home. Each haveli tells a story of its own, reflecting the unique tastes and preferences of its erstwhile owners.

A Walk Through History

As you meander through the narrow lanes of Garli Paragpur, you are transported back in time to an era of regal magnificence and architectural brilliance. The old havelis, with their intricate carvings, ornate balconies, and majestic facades, bear witness to the opulent lifestyle of the erstwhile merchants and aristocrats who once called this place home. Each haveli tells a story of its own, reflecting the unique tastes and preferences of its erstwhile owners.

The old havelis of Garli Paragpur are not just mere structures; they are architectural marvels that showcase a blend of Indian and European styles. From the imposing facades adorned with intricate wooden carvings to the spacious courtyards and verandas that offer respite from the summer heat, every element of these havelis exudes elegance and grandeur. The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail evident in their design leave visitors awe-struck and inspired.

Architectural Marvels

The old havelis of Garli Paragpur are not just mere structures; they are architectural marvels that showcase a blend of Indian and European styles. From the imposing facades adorned with intricate wooden carvings to the spacious courtyards and verandas that offer respite from the summer heat, every element of these havelis exudes elegance and grandeur. The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail evident in their design leave visitors awe-struck and inspired.

Behind the ornate walls and intricately carved doorways lie tales of yore waiting to be discovered. Many of these havelis have stood the test of time, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, the passage of generations, and the winds of change that have swept through the region. Each haveli has its own story to tell – of romance and intrigue, of prosperity and decline, of traditions and transitions that have shaped the fabric of life in Garli Paragpur.

Tales of Yore

Behind the ornate walls and intricately carved doorways lie tales of yore waiting to be discovered. Many of these havelis have stood the test of time, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, the passage of generations, and the winds of change that have swept through the region. Each haveli has its own story to tell – of romance and intrigue, of prosperity and decline, of traditions and transitions that have shaped the fabric of life in Garli Paragpur.

In recent years, concerted efforts have been made to preserve and restore the old havelis of Garli Paragpur, recognizing their historical significance and cultural importance. Organizations and individuals passionate about heritage conservation have undertaken initiatives to document the architectural legacy of the region, raise awareness about its historical significance, and promote sustainable tourism that respects and celebrates its rich heritage.

Preserving Heritage

In recent years, concerted efforts have been made to preserve and restore the old havelis of Garli Paragpur, recognizing their historical significance and cultural importance. Organizations and individuals passionate about heritage conservation have undertaken initiatives to document the architectural legacy of the region, raise awareness about its historical significance, and promote sustainable tourism that respects and celebrates its rich heritage.

We couldn't visit Pragpur, but we did visit Garli. At that point in time, we were not aware of the treasures the Pragpur-Garli Region hides in its vales and hills. We were only aware of Chateau Garli, the heritage haveli that has been converted into a hotel. We wanted to see this property and the detour toward it wasn't that long. If we had been aware of Pragpur, we would have definitely visited it as well. Anyway, lessons learnt. Next time.



The village of Pragpur, though we didn't visit it, definitely is intriguing and we would want to bookmark it for future. And maybe even stay at one of the heritage properties to really get the feel. The village claims a history of over 300 years after all, during which it has seen plundering and pillaging, resistance and resettlement, and prosperity.



Pragpur-Garli was part of the Jaswan Kingdom that was ruled by the cadets of the Katoch Clan. It is said that in the 16th-17th century bands of marauders started plundering the beautiful lands of Kangra. And it was then that Princess Prag Dei, wife of one of the Jaswan Princes, was able to successfully organize a resistance to hold them off. The village of Pragpur was established by the Patials to commemorate Princess Prag Dei.


It was a group of learned men led by a Kuthiala Sood that was charged by the chief of Jaswan Kingdom to find a suitable place to identify the place of commemoration. It is believed that the place was identified according to Indian Shastras and the village of Pragpur is supposed to be blessed by the prayers that have been chanted for thousands of years at the three surrounding "shakti" temples of Jwalamukhi, Chintpurni, and Brajeshwari.


Prosperity soon followed in the villages of Pragpur and nearby Garli. At around the same time, the Hindu population of Sirhind was ordered to evacuate to ensure their safety. The Mughal Governor of the province had just ordered the execution of Guru Gobind Singh's youngest son and a conflict with Sikhs was inevitable. Soods, the sharp, business-minded traders of Sirhind then moved hillward and settled in and around Kangra. Many of them came to settle in Pragpur and Garli.


And it is these Soods, who built some of these landmark Havelis in this area. If you walk around the streets today, you find traces of a variety of architectures - Kangri, Mughal, British, Portuguese etc. Some buildings even demonstrate interesting fusion of these many architectures. It would be worth spending a day or two just exploring and unearthing these treasures.


When British Annexed Kangra in1846, it led to an explosion in trading opportunities and enterprising Soods were quick to identify this and set up sarais and rest houses and shops in the area. The area became more and more prosperous and the momentum stayed up till the early 20th century.

Later in the 20th century, Soods started moving out in search of better business prospects so the  beautiful Havelis started emptying out. And slowly, as it happens, the buildings fell to ruins and many of them lie in dilapidated states today. In 1997, the village of Pragpur was designated a Heritage village by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and this status was extended to include Garli in 2002.

But even when in ruins, these havelis manage to look stately and imposing and it is clear that they were built with lots of pride and also as a mark of the social and financial positions of the owners of these buildings.

As we bid adieu to the old havelis of Garli Paragpur, we are reminded of the timeless allure of heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations. These architectural marvels not only serve as reminders of a glorious past but also inspire us to cherish and safeguard our cultural heritage for posterity. So, the next time you find yourself in Himachal Pradesh, take a detour to Garli Paragpur and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of its old havelis – for in their weathered walls and echoing corridors, you'll find echoes of a bygone era waiting to be discovered.

As we bid adieu to the old havelis of Garli Paragpur, we are reminded of the timeless allure of heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations. These architectural marvels not only serve as reminders of a glorious past but also inspire us to cherish and safeguard our cultural heritage for posterity. So, the next time you find yourself in Himachal Pradesh, take a detour to Garli Paragpur and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of its old havelis – for in their weathered walls and echoing corridors, you'll find echoes of a bygone era waiting to be discovered.

As we bid adieu to the old havelis of Garli Paragpur, we are reminded of the timeless allure of heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations. These architectural marvels not only serve as reminders of a glorious past but also inspire us to cherish and safeguard our cultural heritage for posterity. So, the next time you find yourself in Himachal Pradesh, take a detour to Garli Paragpur and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of its old havelis – for in their weathered walls and echoing corridors, you'll find echoes of a bygone era waiting to be discovered.

As we bid adieu to the old havelis of Garli Paragpur, we are reminded of the timeless allure of heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations. These architectural marvels not only serve as reminders of a glorious past but also inspire us to cherish and safeguard our cultural heritage for posterity. So, the next time you find yourself in Himachal Pradesh, take a detour to Garli Paragpur and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of its old havelis – for in their weathered walls and echoing corridors, you'll find echoes of a bygone era waiting to be discovered.

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